Recently I was lucky enough to receive an advance readers' edition of "How to Walk Away" by Katherine Center. This was an amazing opportunity to expand my reading horizon and explore an author I had not considered or even heard of before this time. As a part of the She Speaks community, I also was able to participate in an online book club which was also a first for me. Needless to say, I would definitely seek out opportunities to do this again. However, enough about the opportunity and more about the book!
ISBN Paper Copy: 978-1-250-14906-0
ISBN e-Book: 978-11-4668-4770-5
Genre: Fiction
Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
Audible
Various Others
How to Walk Away Book Page
Throughout the novel, we see life through Margaret's eyes and ride the emotional roller coaster along with her. The author does an amazing job of bringing the reader along for the ride whether it be sheer happiness, anger, defeat, or just a case of the nerves, you'll be pulled from reality into the life of Margaret as she overcomes obstacles and grows into a new person. All of the major characters are so relatable even in the extreme scenarios laid out in the book. Kitty is quirky, yet somehow reliable and loveable. I even found myself rooting for insolent Ian almost from the moment he is introduced. Chip from the start was my least favorite and I feel some of his story was lacking in this book. He didn't have a major role throughout the novel, but he seemed to get written off too quickly and without consequences. Then there were the parents. While I never had quite so strained a relationship with my folks, I can understand and relate to the connection in milder forms.
The author provides great life motivation and advice hidden throughout this captivating story. While there are a few areas that are less believable, the author has definitely done her research and is as accurate as possible in most areas. This provides a rare look into the recovery and rehabilitation of someone suffering from a spinal injury. Many other books would gloss over this and focus on the character interaction, but Katherine Center used the details to draw readers further into the story and make it come alive.
While I only planned to read a chapter a day, I got hooked after the first chapter and finished this 29 chapter book in a mere three days. It is an easy read and has well spaced text and easy vocabulary making it a great choice for plane reading (maybe I should have left it as travel reading?). After the first chapter you'll understand. Head to the book's landing page to read the first chapter! There are many serious topics covered in this novel, but the author does add comic relief and keeps things upbeat for the most part. The cover art is uplifting and fitting with the overall motivation theme carried on in the book.
Technical Facts
"How to Walk Away" is now published as of May 2018 by St. Martin's Press and runs just over 300 pages (320 to be exact), but only 302 pages are story line.ISBN Paper Copy: 978-1-250-14906-0
ISBN e-Book: 978-11-4668-4770-5
Genre: Fiction
Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
Audible
Various Others
How to Walk Away Book Page
My Views
I began this book by reading the first chapter online before ever getting the book. At that point this book seemed aimed slightly towards adolescents, but upon further reading it expands it range to be fitting for young teen through adults. There are various themes throughout the novel, some of which may be missed by younger readers, but more layers peel back with age or life experience. This complexity hidden in an easy reading book is part of the author's genius in writing.
The author provides great life motivation and advice hidden throughout this captivating story. While there are a few areas that are less believable, the author has definitely done her research and is as accurate as possible in most areas. This provides a rare look into the recovery and rehabilitation of someone suffering from a spinal injury. Many other books would gloss over this and focus on the character interaction, but Katherine Center used the details to draw readers further into the story and make it come alive.
While I only planned to read a chapter a day, I got hooked after the first chapter and finished this 29 chapter book in a mere three days. It is an easy read and has well spaced text and easy vocabulary making it a great choice for plane reading (maybe I should have left it as travel reading?). After the first chapter you'll understand. Head to the book's landing page to read the first chapter! There are many serious topics covered in this novel, but the author does add comic relief and keeps things upbeat for the most part. The cover art is uplifting and fitting with the overall motivation theme carried on in the book.
Themes and Lessons
A few key lessons I took from this book are as follows:- Life in not fair. You will never be on equal footing with everyone else and you have to make the best of your situation whatever it may be.
- Sometimes the best things in life come from the worst things in life. Things tend to happen for a reason so don't get discouraged at life's lows. They may just be guiding you towards a better and happier life.
- Life in unpredictable. While planning ahead and being prepared are useful, you must also be flexible enough to adjust when things don't go according to plan. Changing plans isn't necessarily a bad thing.
- Follow your gut feelings and stay true to yourself.
Favorite Quotes
"I would never tell you that the life you wanted couldn't have been exactly as great as your planned. But you have to live the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle, and pull joy out of the hardship."
"Carry the sorrow when we have to, and absolutely savor the joy when we can."
"She always said, 'When you don't know what to do for yourself, do something for something else.'"
"She's trying. And trying always counts for a lot."
"You get one life, and it only goes forward."
"Did you know you can use urine to make gunpowder?"
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